Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has walked out of the alliance with People’s Democratic party (PDP) in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In an ongoing press conference addressed by top BJP leaders including Amit Shah and Ram Madhav in New Delhi announced the de-attachment from the alliance.

Ram Madhav, national spokesperson for BJP addressing the press conference in Delhi said, “We had a special meeting for which our leaders were called and we discussed the situation in the state. We discussed the situation in J&K, and how much we’ve achieved since forming the government in the state. We have decided that it is not possible for the BJP to continue in the alliance government in Jammu and Kashmir.”

“Keeping in mind the larger interest of India’s integrity and to bring the deteriorating situation in the state under control, it would be apt to hand over the governance to the governor of J&K,” said Madhav.

Keeping in mind the larger interest of India’s integrity and to bring the deteriorating situation in the state under control, it would be apt to hand over the governance to the governor of J&K : Shri @rammadhavbjp

Blaming Mufti’s led government, Madhav added, ”Mehbooba failed to handle the situation in the valley.” According to reports, the rift between the two parties widened following the Government of India’s decision to resume anti-terror operations in the state after Ramzan.

“There has been terrorism at a high level in Kashmir Valley – Radicalisation is increasing at a fast rate. Right to life and free speech are in danger,” said Madhav, also raising the issue of senior editor Shujaat Bukhari being killed in broad day light in Srinagar.

He also said that it had become untenable for BJP to continue in the alliance government with PDP in Jammu and Kashmir.

“There were two major objectives when we joined the alliance – peace and progress in the state. Terrorism and radicalisation are on the rise in the state. The murder of editor Shujaat Bukhari shows even press freedom is in danger,” said Madhav, national spokesperson of BJP.

Reacting to the break-up news, National Conference leader, Omar Abdullah took to twitter saying, “And so it has come to pass..”

Applauding the central government, he said, “In the last three years, under the leadership of PM Modi, has actively assisted the state government. An 80,000 crore package was also announced and most of it has been disbursed.”

The break-up of the alliance that came into power after the J&K Assembly election of 2014, which saw the PDP emerging as the biggest party with 28 seats and the BJP emerging as the second-biggest with 25 seats, comes at a time when fault lines had been apparent for at least a few months.

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